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Let’s be thankful on Thanksgiving

Thursday is Thanksgiving Day. It’s many things to many people. It’s a day that has come to stand for food, family and football. And while those traditions are important, we hope that everyone will take just a few minutes to remember all of the good things in our lives, and make this Thanksgiving one of true thanks. On the local level, we can be thankful for the communities we live in, where neighbors still know each other and are willing to pitch in when the hard times hit. We must also be thankful for our family and friends, those people who stand beside us in good times and ...

Parades help bring holiday spirit to life

Communities throughout the Tri-State Area will have a little extra sparkle during the next couple of weeks as parades help to celebrate the Christmas season. Parades offer an opportunity for families and friends to gather and celebrate the season, while giving communities a chance to show off the good things they each have to offer. Floats, marching bands, dancing schools, homecoming queens and members of local service organizations will be joined by vehicles representing police and fire departments and other first responders. The highlight of each parade is the arrival of Santa ...

Area will shine for the holidays

The special glow that comes with the Christmas season once again will be seen as communities across the Tri-State Area hold their light-up events. Those evenings help to create a sense of joy and anticipation as they bring residents together to celebrate and enjoy a festive atmosphere where camaraderie always is on display. Celebrations began on Nov. 13, when the Christmas tree in Weirton’s North End was lit. That led up to Saturday’s Christmas on Main Street in Weirton. The annual event, presented by the Weirton Festival Committee, included vendors and family-oriented ...

Don’t fall for utility scams

Nearly all of us have been on the receiving end of an attempt to scam us out of our hard-earned money — particularly in the digital age. Utility scams are fairly common, and many of us probably think we know how to sniff them out. Still, according to AEP Ohio, more than 2,000 scam attempts have been reported to that company alone so far this year. That’s 2,000 the company knows about. Who knows how many have gone unreported, or who might have fallen victim? “We care about our customers and want to help keep them safe from bad actors. Scammers are getting more sophisticated, ...

Safeguard freedoms, focus on treatment

Brooke County officials find themselves at a crossroads familiar to many communities across West Virginia — deciding how to spend money secured through settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors. The intention behind those funds was clear: To help repair the devastation the opioid epidemic has wrought on our region and its families, its workforce and its way of life. Yet, as discussions late last month before the Brooke County Commission reveal, the temptation to divert those treatment and recovery dollars toward law enforcement remains strong. The Brooke County ...

Smokeout sends a clear message

Today is a good day to clear the air. It’s the annual Great American Smokeout — marked on the third Thursday in November — when smokers will make the commitment to stop smoking for the day. The goal is to convince smokers that if they can quit for 24 hours, they can quit for good. You don’t have to stop smoking in one day. Start with Day 1, literature from the American Cancer Society reminds. It’s a great first step to stopping a bad habit that can lead to dire consequences. Like with most efforts, there is good news and bad news to report. According to the American ...